Tail gate protector and load bar

ABSTRACT

A horizontal elongated bar is secured by outwardly extending brackets to the top outside surface of the tail gate of a pick up truck.

Unlted States Patent (151 3,698,760 Lane [451 Oct. 17, 1972 [54] TAILGATE PROTECTOR AND LOAD 2,931,078 4/1960 Beyrle ..49/460 BAR 235,41812/1880 Dwyre ..296/58 719,107 l/l903 Gibbs ..296/58 [72] Invent Lane1,483,890 2/1924 Kelleym, ..296/51 igneez The Raymond Lee Organization,2,009,621 7/1935 Kakoska ..296/57 R Inc., New York, NY. 1,546,251 7/1925Possons ..16/11 1 R Oct. 22, Stelzer ..16/111 R X 2 App] 33,1 5 FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 22,896 10/1930 Netherlands ..296/52 [52] US. Cl...296/50, 280/179 R [51] Int. Cl. ..B60j 5/10 Prim ry Examiner-BenjaminHersh [58] Field of Search ..296/50, 51, 52, 53, 56, 57 R, AssistantExaminer-Leslie J. Paperner R, 179 A, 179 B; 49/460; 16/111 R [57]ABSTRACT A horizontal elongated bar is secured by outwardly ex- [56]References Cited tending brackets to the top outside surface of the tailUNITED STATES PATENTS gate of a p p truck- 660,479 10/ 1900 Wright..296/57 R 4 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures TAIL GATE PROTECTOR AND LOAD BARSUMMARY OF THE INVENTION I have invented a new type of tie bar structurewhich can horizontally span the rear of the body of a pick up truck butcan be vertically shifted in position in accordance with the position ofthe tail gate. To this end, I provide brackets which extend horizontallyrearward of the tail gate when the gate is in vertical position. Thesebrackets are rigidly secured to opposite sides of the gate adjacent thetop edge thereof. An elongated bar extends horizontally between thebrackets parallel to the tail gate and is supported at each end by thecorresponding bracket.

In a truck, my invention has a variety of uses such as a tie down bar, alift bar or a load assist bar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my invention in use;

FIG. 2 is a side view thereof; and

FIG. 3 is a detail exploded view of certain parts used in my invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS.1-3, a pick up truck has a body with a tail gate 12 that can be raisedto a vertical position or lowered to a horizontal position. Each side ofthe gate adjacent the top edge 14 has a horizontal threaded bore 16. Aseparate bolt 18 threadedly engages the bore. Each of two separatebrackets 20 is adapted to extend outward from the outer surface of thegate at right angles thereto and has an opening 22 in one end throughwhich the bolt passes to hold the bracket in place. Both brakets-lie inparallel vertical planes. Each bracketcarries at the other end ahorizontal sleeve 24, the two sleeves being aligned and facing eachother. A horizontal bar 26 extends between the brackets, each bar endbeing held within and supported by a corresponding sleeve.

While I have described my invention with particular reference to thedrawings, such is not to be considered as limiting its actual scope.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a tail gate which can be swung between verticaland horizontal positions:

bracket means secured to opposite sides of the gate adjacent the topedge thereof and extending outward from the outer surface of the gate atright angles thereto; and

a horizontal bar extending between and supported by said bracket means.

2. The combination as set forth in claim I wherein said means lie inparallel vertical planes.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein each bracket has ahorizontal sleeve in which a corresponding end of the bar is detachablydisposed.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein the sleeves aredisposed along a common horizontal line.

1. In combination with a tail gate which can be swung between verticaland horizontal positions: BRACKET MEANS SECURED TO OPPOSITE SIDES OF THEGATE ADJACENT THE TOP EDGE THEREOF AND EXTENDING OUTWARD FROM THE OUTERSURFACE OF THE GATE AT RIGHT ANGLES THERETO; AND A HORIZONTAL BAREXTENDING BETWEEN AND SUPPORTED BY SAID BRACKET MEANS.
 2. Thecombination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means lie in parallelvertical planes.
 3. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein eachbracket has a horizontal sleeve in which a corresponding end of the baris detachably disposed.
 4. The combination as set forth in claim 3wherein the sleeves are disposed along a common horizontal line.